How to Improvise Solos on Guitar THE HARD WAY

[@BrandonDeon]

52 Week Guitar Player is closed until mid-March. We'll only be accepting 100 new students when we reopen. Join the waiting list now dammit: brandondeon.com/survey-page2

[@TheLuke...]

You know you could just add more notes to your already existing pentatonic Go from minor pentatonic to just minor and then you have everything you need. This is a better way of thinking about it

[@maxfracture2185]

@@TheLuke... If you're playing over say A minor to D minor yes. A minor to D Major no.

[@rotor7135]

At 2:59 I think you accidentally used the diagram for G Ionian/Major instead of F# Locrian.

[@Zooral45]

​@@TheLuke... You didn't understand the point of the video it seems, which is to NOT cut corners which will hurt you in the long run. The man told you learn the 5 main shapes of a major scale, he knows what he is saying.

[@Nexus_trademark]

how come the shape looks different than the shapes in the pentatonic master class video?

[@irockjorts]

My favorite part about this channel is that you're absolutely hammering in on the fact that this shit is hard, and if you want to be good at guitar, you have to earn it.

[@joshuagordon7354]

I disagree that its hard to learn these things. The solution is commitment and thats the thing that's hard.

[@irockjorts]

@@joshuagordon7354 I would say it's both hard and requires commitment/self-discipline. If it was easy everybody would do it.

[@Langston_]

To me, difficulty is just an approximation of how much time and effort is required to learn something. I feel like u both agree with each other. Saying “learning isn’t hard but commitment is” conveys the same idea to me as just saying it’s hard to learn, because commitment to some degree is the only way to learn anything

[@confusedcat-sm9cy]

​@@joshuagordon7354 isnt that what he meant?

[@rrrrsorry8408]

extra long fingers help as well

[@thePurplePalmTree]

The “get a six pack in 1 week” videos of music are annoying

[@georgerichardson7728]

I agree, took me 8 days to get ripped, I want my money back

[@DeimosPlayz]

Even worse are all these 30 second riff videos. The f&%k happened to posting a whole song?

[@Mike-pb7tk]

Well you can learn fundamental music theory for improvising in about an hour. The hard part is just the physical playing

[@georgerichardson7728]

@@Mike-pb7tk yea, if you're superman, REALLY learning music theory from scratch will take an average couple of years

[@Mike-pb7tk]

@georgerichardson7728 na mate it really doesn't, it's actually the most simple part of music. I teach music and even my dumbest students only take a couple lessons to understand how improvising works. It's the physical playing that's hard.

[@IamBoge]

If I'm gonna be honest when I first started playing guitar I didn't wanna watch your videos because you liked yelling but now I that I've been playing I understand why and I can see you are the best teacher on KZbin because you have the most in depth knowledge of music itself, thank you for posting guitar master

[@No1karez]

Awesome comment!!

[@nokia-gm8gv]

xd

[@Acer67]

He gives off the aggressive teacher that's actually really good at teaching and is nice in person.

[@AmilcarAlho-hj4fe]

I know how to work without someone yelling at me hes just childish

[@hey9433]

doing tricks on it

[@billrobinson9295]

He is so right. I have played guitar on and off since I was 16 but now that U am 61, I want to kearn guitar correctly now because I want to pkay for the rest of my life no matter how long I have.

[@jojo5158]

Bro, this is actually a useful video. I've been playing a classical guitar for 4 years now and tomorrow, I will get my very first electric, so this is just what i needed. Thank you

[@bendanner5391]

What guitar did you end up getting?

[@Guitarfactor]

Best guitar teacher out there right now. It always irritated me how guitar players today are so coddled. You’re on the internet how are you scared of learning? I love how you’re harsh on people cause that’s sometimes what people need. Your tactics and info has helped me a lot in my guitar journey 😁

[@albertchurchill4845]

Coddling a student is a way of keeping them coming back. If they don't mature, they always need a lesson.

[@francisconeto1700]

I'm not really a big fan of commenting in videos, and there have already a couple of monthes that I watch your videos, but this one really unlocked my brain to finally understand the greek modes! It's so good that I am watching again, those were really Messing my mind so hard, but with this one video, I got it, I am feeling so happy right now that I can't describe... This feeling is just amazing, thank you a lot!

[@aleks_white_]

And then proceeds to make a video called "This Hack Lets You Solo Over ANY SONG", two days later

[@JeremyAndersonBoise]

Good vid, savage delivery. After 36 years, I play a solo improvisation gig twice a week. For the first time in my life I feel confident just going for it. I know all the chords, all the modes, many substituions, extensions, and even a couple tricks. It’s all one thing to me now and I rarely think about it any more, I just use my ears and my fingers go where I hear next. If I play a wrong note, I know which note it is instantly and turn it into a new theme, it just took me most of my life to develop my musicality enough to feel comfortable doing so in public.

[@r4microds]

i like that his mic peaks everytime he gets stern with us. Really hits home and reminds me of my dad.

[@snowflake3608]

But Brandon, what if I’m already 47! 💀

[@garfieldfan3892]

Get off the cigarettes and you'll live 47 years more

[@deityoffilth]

Real​@@garfieldfan3892

[@808shy]

then you'll gitgud at 57

[@RoyalYoutube_PRO]

That emoji is a selfie 😂

[@deityoffilth]

@@RoyalKZbin_PRO pretty funny

[@GourmetNinj4]

My guitar teacher said something that stuck with me quite a bit. He told me that his job is to teach me how to think about learning the guitar rather than teaching me how to play it. What he meant was his goal was to try and change the way I think abt playing it rather than giving me specific ways of how to play. Really helped me embrace my own style and the fact that learning guitar is truly a life long process.

[@SamMarino53]

Honestly your channel feels like the most honest when it comes to actual long term advice, I’m about 6 months into my journey. I’m always trying to “gameify” or introduce fun challenges into my practice time and it’s helped me become more consistent and practicing for longer then I really expect myself too. Thank you for putting out this content, it’s helped more than you know!

[@oceanhernandez1132]

One thing I found that really helped me thst makes things SOO much easier is just learning your music theory, so what if the Beatles didn’t know it, you aren’t the Beatles!

[@spaghettisauce445]

The Beatles actually did know basic theory like “oh thats a A major chord into a F# min ” you can see evidence of that in the get back documentary

[@Hungrykittynomnom]

​@@spaghettisauce445ye was gonna say the same. Even when it was claimed artist's knew no theory, they did really. It would be next to impossible to keep churning out good sounding music without at least some proficiency in theory.

[@oceanhernandez1132]

@@spaghettisauce445 good point, but I’m more pointing out the fact that people seem to believe that they didn’t, so they believe that music theory isn’t necessary for themselves to be great as well, when in reality it often is needed to be great

[@gergoretvari6373]

The Beatles knew what they were doing, they just didn't know the name of the terms they used

[@JRJigsawyer]

Heres whats amazing: check out 5:29. Listen to how melodic and natural and non-repetitive that short solo is ONLY STAYING IN ONE POSITION AND ONLY ON 3 STRINGS. THIS is why we need to learn this. If you can sound this good with those constraints, imagine how good you can sound with the entire fretboard and memorized scale shapes ar your disposal?

[@Gutszomb11]

I'm about to reach my 2 year mark of playing and I already got the major/minor scale fully memorized and just need to get better memorization of the G and B string. Finding your videos about a year ago helped a lot on the best way to learn certain things. The random note generator for learning the fretboard is a literal godsend.

[@CyberQ4]

I will admit I didn't get to the end, because although what you say is correct about the modes starting note, you cannot apply those modes to any progression. The progression determines the mode and not what scale pattern you are using. In your example, even though you are physically changing position, you are still playing the same mode all the time because you are emphasizing the notes that fit the mode of the song. I took the time to write this because when I was learning modes at the beginning, I thought the scale you use changes the mode, when in fact you cannot change the mode of a progression (although it can share more than one mode in certain cases). So, yes memorize the a patterns as different ways to play the major scale to match the mode of the progression and not vice-versa.

[@syllomusic]

YOU ARE THE GOGGINS OF GUITAR. For real, guitar takes suffering to master and mature through, both physically and mentally, you really have to knuckle down and do the hard stuff to become like those guys you dream of shredding like. And the beautiful thing is, because of this suffering, it opens up the magic of guitar to ANYONE who believes and commits to it. Subbed + recomending to EVERY m8 who's learning guitar, I usually recomend books instead because KZbin tutorials are very misleading and condensed to flog eBooks these days.

[@annshularora701]

The motivation I needed to pick up the guitar and start playing it properly again. I've been I'm stuck in guitar for more than year and have no idea how escape that. This video will help a lot!!

[@jessesparzza9019]

This is by far the best guitar lesson on improvising solos. This is the way to learn and kick ass. Thank you, Ilm looking forward checking out your future lessons. Peace Out Brandon.

[@AayushTamang-ve3yz]

You have changed my guitar playing routines and exercises! You rock man !!

[@evanvilos59]

Like seriously one of the best videos explaining sales and modes. Cheers.

[@rickybyrd660]

I've learned so much from this guy he's telling the truth. Thank you sir for all your videos and help.

[@KatoyoRiuka]

Thank you Brandon for doing all the awesome Guitar videos I really appreciate it and i always try to implement your tips in my training to become the best Guitar player of all time

[@Phil_Vach]

I've been playing guitar for a little more than 2 years by now and I'm realizing I've been doing exactly what is shown here from the start. It is reassuring to know that my practice had some meaning from the start. I went into theory from day one because I really wanted to understand music, not just play for fun. By the way, I love your content Brandon, I enjoy your shit together vibe plus your absurd humor is hilariously. 1 000 000 subs on its way my man!

[@paulbillingham6769]

Inspiring, have never seen Modes demonstrated that way, can't wait to get started.

[@jamesanimates7827]

As an intermediate guitarist, this video was genuinely helpful! My guitar teacher also adviced me to start by memorizing scales, and I also wanna improvise on punk music. Just got down pitch harmonics a few days ago and i started to implement it into solos to make it much more satisfying to hear and play. Again, thanks for the tip, teach!

[@JustWhyFFS]

Minor blues pentatonic is a great scale to use as a base when you're trying to learn em all. You can take the blues scale, move a few notes around and get aeolian, mixolydian, etc. without feeling like you're trying to learn 30 or more new shapes. Just the blues scale, plus or minus a few notes

[@everettmillette2567]

this video hands down has helped me the most compared to all other videos on this topic

[@govindoburdwan]

One thing i want to add is playing single string scale. It helped me a lot.

[@emilemarcotte2782]

You swore less than you usual in this video. I honestly appreciate it 🙏🏻 your music advice is always super useful!

[@DwayneRidgwayOfficial]

When you said the part about scales at the beginning, I mentally just went, "That it?" Cause when the "get rich quick" schemes of guitar KZbin talk about this stuff, they always act like it's so impossible unless you use their genius method. But this is pretty direct. Learn all the notes on the fretboard and the scale shapes and you can play them and improvise using them. It's fool proof. I mean, if we can figure out squares and triangles, these shapes can't be that much harder.

[@EzraSwannellFishing]

yeh sort of. then you need feel.

[@penelope8710]

I think I’m like most guitar players that when I found the minor pentatonic I took that and ran with it. Now I’m older learning all the scale shapes helps a lot with soloing and sounding better even without playing anything crazy.

[@goten2831]

Finally someone that actually helps by telling the truth. Thank you so much for your honesty, now I don't feel like a failure cause I didn't learn how to solo like David Gilmore in 5 mins.

[@SimplyStave]

Heads up brother-man, on your F# Locrian scale diagram you are missing the root note for the low-e string (3:00 min mark). Tabs are all good though. But killer vid! Loving the long format vids a lot. 🤙🏼

[@monke247]

One of the best guitar channels in youtube

[@Masterofpuppets69420]

Dude you are the best and only honest guitarist out there, this helped me alot. But could you post a video about same scales but minor, tnx.

[@nicolasmecaj]

They are the same, if the C major scale (as well of the diatonic chords) is c-d-e-f-g-a-b-c (doremifasollasido) as for the chords Cmaj - Dmin - Emin - Fmaj - G - Amin - B dimished' - C. For the minor modes you just start the same scale from A min for the minor scale in key of A min. C major scale = fucking same of A natural minor scale. So A-B-C-D-E-F-G-A are the notes, same chords starting from Amin finishing in A min, instead doing from C Maj to C maj

[@nicolasmecaj]

So the really important thing in the end is knowing the intervals between notes and chords as well as knowing all of the shapes, in order to translate everything in differerent keys of the major/natural minor scales

[@billkottkamp]

Minor is 6th shape aeolian

[@selfactualizer2099]

ive never found a music lesson i agree with so hard, but i have one thing to add that me and some beginners seem to struggling with "being intimidated by tasks that require effort" i know what you mean, i mean, you know what you mean, youve probably felt it too. when not being intimidated by effort, there is one other obstacle some beginners struggle with massive fatigue and brain fog mere minutes into forced practice, but no other time doesnt feel forced this has been getting better for me, but not because of consistency, i get less brain fog/fatigue/litteral eyes rolling back when im practicing theory that i dont need to think hard to practice for example, playing c major scale, ez. playing c major scale while trying to think "ok how can i slide this scale climb up to the d dorian and continue through the modes up the neck" i have to think up so many shapes, notes, intervals, im slammed with brain fog just trying to bring it all together its so bad i rely on teaching others to teach myself, its the only way to stay stimulated enough to play the complicated stuff when i figure it out, no more brain fog, but the next step up leads me to massive fatigue I want to spend more time alone without stimulation to be able to focus for more time on memorization/execution, but i dont know how to fix the issue, hopefully others have some tips to share tldr; when i need to think hard while playing, i mentally crash pretty quickly, but if im playing something i can handle well, im as alert as ever I dont want to be "playing what im used to" but i also get so fatigued.....hhh help

[@eKzee]

Hey Brandon great video! I always wanted to learn the modes now I've got some clearance. But I just wanted to inform you that I think u made an mistake at F#-Locrian at 3:00 or more by comparing it to the G-Ionian because aren't they both in the same kind of relationship like phrygian and lydian? Like the starting point, one starts one note earlier and ends one note "earlier" and the other one starts and ends one note later. Am I missing something, may am I stupid? Dunno. Just wanted to point that out and wanna say thank you again

[@janington]

When you say, "know other scales as well as the minor pentatonic," are talking about all the shapes/modes of the minor pentatonic or are you just talking about the first shape, because what you played at 1:30 was the 1st shape of the minor pentatonic.

[@IAmMakeMusic]

You got that right, GUITAR ISNT FOR THE WEAK

[@oldschoolpatriot3236]

He is correct , it takes dedication , perseverance and patience . What did to start was learn the abc's of music , meaning I memorized wete every a , b , c , d , e , f and g was on the neck . Then I studied hard and trained my ear to hear the tonal differences between notes . My style of playing is vocal in a way , I don't do alot of repetitious licks , stacking patterns ......etc . I'd say my main influence is Andy Timmons .

[@NINJED1]

My Wolf Left The Room Because You Yelled To Tough She Thought You Were Talking To Her 🤣

[@nikolinelund4866]

Excuse me. YOUR WOLF!!??

[@NINJED1]

@@nikolinelund4866 My wifes wolf ?

[@nikolinelund4866]

@@NINJED1 if that was the wolf you where talking about. But do you just have a wolf as a pet? (Or your wife)

[@NINJED1]

@@nikolinelund4866 Yeah probably more common than owning a mastiff and safer for children 😆

[@raikawa1189]

Saving this vid for the future for when I finish learning my major and minor scales

[@joshuagodinez5867]

I like your angry tone. Maybe I need a dominatrix in my life. In any event, your no-b.s. delivery feels like it's necessary in the world of quick-fix solutions. Apparently, I'm a ghost since I started learning at 53 and I'm committed to playing during my entire after-life. Who are these 47 year-old noobs anyway?

[@ikhaatjullieallemaalpersoo5715]

The title makes it sound like an exciting challenge where all the "easy" videos make it feel like a task.

[@chrisrosencrans]

This video just fucked me so hard that I got back on the cigarettes

[@vivito-]

The part of knowing shapes as well as the pentatonic is true. I just missed the part of that modes are not scale shapes, to get the sound of the mode u need the right context/chords. Otherwise it all sounds like major.

[@黃祐宇]

This is the first time I have to think “do I want to play guitar my whole life?” And my answer is immediately yes, I’m not good at it, but guitar gives me life. The more I understand the more I like it. This makes me realize I don’t want to do many things for my whole life, definitely not working, studying or partying. The only thing I would want my whole life to be involved in is probably guitar

[@courtcat339]

Damn Brandon, what a bebop guy you are with your flat-7s and chord extensions. I’m jealous of your ability to create sounds with your hands on that guitar thing. I guess I’ll stick to kazoo 😒

[@davegamesalot6526]

Thanks for the tough love, Brandon

[@fidyculous]

The irony of this video is it helped me improve my soloing waaayy faster than any "5 minute solo hack" video.

[@Gabrielmaltby07]

Thank you for this video. I now know what I must do to get better!

[@joelparmar6179]

This video was actually very helpful for me. Thank you Brandon. You are the nicest guy in the world. Okay Bye

[@arunalex1842]

you made life a lot easier. please make a video on arpeggios for improv too

[@ricard-ih4oi]

You're right. I need to learn other scales.

[@SeanMcQuilter_Music]

Try organizing them in a range or Brightness to Darkness based on level of sharps vs flats, with the same root. G Lydian, Ionian, Mixolydian, Dorian, …. Locrian

[@ayodd]

Man I really needed to hear this 🙏

[@nicolasmecaj]

You chose to speak the language of truth. I like to play diatonic arpeggios of every chord in the major/nat minor scales as well I find it really helpful. You won't believe but only yesterday evening while practicing those in uncomfortable fingering positions i realized that i can derive all of the modes and i understood why every new scale i was checking was already familiar lmao, i ended up asking chatgpt for confirmations and i got like illuminated

[@nicolasmecaj]

And now I find your vid just published lol

[@maxfracture2185]

"You will play guitar properly!" "Sir yes sir!" In all seriousness good on you for cutting through the BS.

[@sabres0809]

No shade to any other KZbinrs, but you and stitch are probably the best guitar teachers on KZbin, which is funny because your personalities are the exact opposite.

[@neelhodgkinson7516]

I'm someone stuck in the CAGED system, I want to learn other scales and modes but I can't seem to find all the "variations" mapped out on the whole neck, how do I find those so I can practice the scale at each position? And advice would be appreciated! Enjoyed the delivery of the video as well

[@hey9433]

idk sorry

[@diegogc11]

Every time you yell out of nowhere I just explode with laughter, by the way thanks for the video, totally agree with you!

[@Saitenfetzer]

The fretboard picture for F# Locrian is not quite right, it is missing the F# on the low E string and there should not be a dot on the G on the high E string. What is showing in the video is the Ionien shape.

[@chadrickbasedman987]

thanks brandon this is exactly what i needed

[@HughJitsu]

Unfortunately, this video is absolute gold. 🔥

[@HasserWeissfang]

The only thing I'd like to add is the fact tha these positions you showed do NOT really "activate" the modes. The modes are fully activated by harmony, using the right chords and the right certain notes emphasis.

[@clarkbowler157]

Just an observation. Wouldn't it make more sense to include the rest of the notes on the high E string that fit into the pattern? (Also, why omit a note on the low E, on locrian shape?)

[@curtisnorris868]

What about players that can play pieces of Bach, Vivaldi and Beethoven but somehow remained mostly ignorant of most music theory. Would your course be appropriate? or too much?

[@davideluciani8907]

There is something I don't get tho: you were playing in the key of G but you played scales like the C lydian. Why did you play a C scale when you were playing in G Major?

[@Spivonious]

Because Lydian is based on the 4th note of the major scale, or C in the key of G.

[@ronny8148]

I always see you on instagram and only those family friendly videos but this. Not only it's funny as fuck but you are so real if you really want to be a guitarist and u love it by heart u will eventually learn this

[@lipittysplit8722]

Okay hell yea you posted a good one finally. This stuffs supposed to be hard that’s why it’s cool and I’m gonna sign up for your waiting list cuz hey you are out here changing how the guitar is taught for the better. I want to do that too. You’ll probably like me once you meet me on a zoom call.

[@meadish]

Thanks for the lesson. I think for F# Locrian, you accidentally added a diagram of G Major instead. The tab is correct, but the diagram is slightly off since the root note of F# on the low E string is not included. I know the notes are the same in all modes, as you say later in the video, so maybe I'm just being overly pedantic. Nobody else seems to be confused.

[@christophergriffith3420]

I love this guy...

[@kylebichler2258]

I love that telecaster! How do you like it ?

[@itsjamesloyalty8484]

This was extremely useful !!

[@darifick9808]

i know this is a dumb question but i just can’t understand like the notes with the shapes, like in the first example solo it says D aeolian but in the very beginning where he runs through the scales it says E aeolian, so is the name of the scale the shape and it doesn’t matter where on the fretboard you play it? Like the note just means the key that the shape is in, and if so is the point of the note just to help you know where to start your solo?

[@Tainokreba]

Man please don't spread illiteracy among beginner guitarists, what you are calling modes is just fretboard shapes, for example 5:36 is not phrygian - just regular D minor in a different place on the fretboard

[@DavidPerry-ui2qz]

Great video Brandon 🤘🎸🤘 Figured I’d comment and feed the algorithm.

[@theadambragg]

Loooove this

[@arsenii3834]

Thanks, I needed this push

[@novalors]

luv yah brandon

[@ScoobyDoo-kt9pv]

Might be dumb but somehow my Dorian pentatonic doesn’t fit the major scale and I prefer other 7 note scales and up that are not the major scale. You must know major and pentatonic in every one of the 5 positions, but that alone Even knowing more scales Will not make you the best guitar soloist. Now what am I playing when I play one of my favorite scales I was told it was Dorian pentatonic. It is the minor pentatonic. It has a sharp 2nd (where the major note usually is) It sounds very middle eastern. I use minor major scales pentatonic blues almost jazz maybe not jazz - one full step down or up And that’s how I play right now . But what is the scale I am playing when I have a raised 2nd note (where the major usually is) in my minor pentatonic which sounds Arabic? I love my method of playing I’m trying to get better. The best way for me to get better is to talk about licks and approaching targeted notes. But I still have no idea what one of my favorite scales is. Am I correct that it is Dorian pentatonic? I feel like I was taught incorrectly.

[@ScoobyDoo-kt9pv]

You can also play one HALF step up or down in jazz but only jazz I am a rock guitarist. So I do whole steps up or down pentatonic and major scale shapes as well as added or sharped flattened notes on those scales. That’s just how to play guitar I realize. But is that scale Dorian pentatonic?

[@ScoobyDoo-kt9pv]

I need work on my 5 major positions - I can hear them but I practice this with him. Still don’t know what my Dorian minor pentatonic scale is if that is the correct name. It’s just messing with a blues noting but you skip the extra note by sharping it rather than play chromatic through. You know what I mean if you play guitar.

[@DannyHood-j]

The scale that changed my life’ video. The guy was at concert and met jazz guitarist Joe pass (if I’m not mistaken) He asked question, how could he sound more jazzier when playing scales, The jazz guitarist said (flatten the root note). So the guy makes video, flattens the root note on every scale. LMAO!

[@scribesblood2085]

May seem like a dumb question but how do you know what scale to improvise in the key thats being played. I assume you just switch scale keys with it.. like Use A minor scale when A Minor is being played, and if it switches to D major you play D major or can you play other scales in those Keys?

[@dirkgassen6155]

F# Locrian has the wrong starting note, right?

[@amanbytheway]

Cheers for being real bro

[@rodoherty1]

This was refreshing!!

[@CooperCriswell-p4t]

Brandon outside of the major scale and modes which other scales are commonly used across the fretboard like the diminished and half diminished or maybe the whole tone scale what if I want harmonic minor or melodic minor or even in harmonic major I could do these the same as major scale and its modes right

[@SketchMeyer]

I heart this with a bag of picks

[@carsonfrith6801]

But Brandon! But Brandon! I need to get to intermediate level from a weird sort of experienced beginner level and have no idea what to do or where to start!

[@ps-eq9hq]

Love you bruah ❤

[@brockallen12]

This video was perfect

[@Person-cv9dj]

But how will i find my way around the modes? With the pentatonic any note you play fits in the modes if you play something that sounds wack itll sound wack and how do i then aply this knowledge over chord and key changes? And also what chords does each mode fit over?

[@alexandrealmeida9499]

I don't understand what you mean by five shapes since the scales gets different shapes depending on the fret

[@joek4335]

Thanks Brandon. Best Guitar teacher on youtube

[@LoganBaileyGuitar]

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!

[@night9587]

Thanks Brandon

[@gypsynerfherder]

Bro has disappointed parent energy and I’m here for it 😂. And used to it.